Israel, Jordan Join to Help Muslims in War-torn Bosnia

Israel and Jordan are coordinating a humanitarian aid effort for Muslim refugees in war-ravaged Bosnia.

Two planes, one Israeli and one Jordanian, are scheduled to fly to Bosnia this week to bring medical supplies, clothing, blankets and other aid to the war victims.

The Red Cross will assist in distributing the aid.

Israeli and Jordanian officials met in Amman last week to hammer out details of the operations, which is called “Peace in the Middle East — Peace in the World.”

The cooperative effort was initiated by Jordan’s King Hussein, who discussed the idea during a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

Rabin last week called Jordan Television during a telethon to raise money for the Bosnian Muslims. He made a personal pledge of $3,000.

Rabin told the television audience that he condemned the attacks by rebel Serbs on the Muslims in Bosnia, adding that Israel opposes all assaults on people based on their religion, be they “Jewish, Muslim or Christian.”

Environment Minister Yossi Sarid, who was involved in planning the airlift, will head the Israeli delegation carrying out the aid effort.

At Sarid’s initiative, 83 Muslim refugees from the war in Bosnia were brought to Israel in February 1933, when they were absorbed at Kibbutz Ma’agen Michael, south of Haifa.

The Israeli government subsequently granted the refugees permanent status, with all rights of new immigrants.

The Palestinian Authority is reportedly raising donations to help the Bosnian Muslims.

Ministers in the Palestinian Authority will have I percent deducted from their salaries, with the proceeds going to help the refugees.

Palestinian officials also reportedly announced that donations will be collected in mosques and churches in the Gaza Strip and West Bank Jericho enclave, the two area currently under Palestinian self-rule.